Expert: Daniel Humphrey - 3/20/2008

Question
I currently have a seasonal cabin that is in Northern Minnesota.
It sits on a couple of courses of block with a 6” of concrete footing under those.
In other words, well above the frost line.

I would like to add an addition with a crawl space (plumbing) so that the cabin would be year round, but have been told that footings under the seasonal portion are also required or the two structures will shift differently.  The quote for these additional footings is $10K, so I am looking for alternatives.

I am also to not doing an addition but instead having a way to keep the pipes warm in the seasonal place so I have running water (kitchen, shower, etc) when I am there.  Can I have a small well house below frostline and run pies into the seasonal place and somehow keep those warm.   I would drain the pipes when I leave.


Answer
Steve,

Yes, the foundations should match so that there is minimal difference in shifting. Depending on the soil, this could be critical if the two buildings are attached and finished.

If you just want to protect the pipes from freezing when you are there, burying the pipes several feet with styrofoam ON TOP ONLY will do that. Make sure your pipes back drain to the well and that all the water can be removed when you go away.

In my part of the country, we put in a Pitless adapter about five feet down to bring the water out of the well casing underground and run a 1" pipe (PEX tubing without joints) completely underground to where it comes up insulated through the floor. The pressure tank and control box are all indoors, and no pipes are exposed to freezing conditions. The warmth from the earth below keeps water from freezing as long as the insulation is above the pipe and enough dirt covers it. Snow helps as well. When it is time to drain the system, the drop pipe inside the well casing is lifted from its receiver in the adapter, and all the house water can then flow out. Some water remains in the drop pipe because the check valves hold it there, but it is safe inside the casing.  A compressor can clear all the small lines in the house.

Daniel